This Homemade Cajun Seasoning is the perfect blend of spices and herbs that adds a punch of flavor and a touch of heat to any dish. If you love that Southern Cuisine from Louisiana and the Bayou, then you need this Cajun blend in your spice cabinet!
You probably already have most of the spices you need to make this right in your spice cabinet!
This blend is great when used in this recipe for Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice (you can also make it in the crock pot).
What is Cajun?
Cajun Cuisine is defined by Wikipedia as “a style of cooking developed by the Cajun – Acadians who were deported from Acadia to Louisiana during the 18th century and who incorporated West African, French and Spanish cooking techniques into their original cuisine.“
Some of the flavors/foods you find most in Cajun Cuisine are paprika, garlic, thyme, cayenne, bay leaf, seafood, rice, and sausage.
Ingredients
You only need to look to your spice cabinet to make this seasoning blend.
Grab your smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, dried oregano and thyme, and cayenne pepper.
SMOKED Paprika
Make sure that you are using SMOKED paprika and not just plain “paprika” which can also be labeled Sweet Paprika or Hungarian Paprika.
The smoky flavor if Smoked Paprika is essential to get the right flavor in your spice blend.
Kosher Salt
Make sure that you are using kosher salt in this recipe, not iodized table salt!
They are not the same thing and the table salt will make your blend overly salty.
How to Make Cajun Seasoning
This is a pretty simple process, simply grab the spices and a small bowl.
Give them a good stir to combine, making sure there are no clumps remaining and that all the seasoning on the bottom is mixed in.
Alternately you could place all the spices in a mason jar, pop the lid on and give it a good shake.
Spicier
If you know that you always like food on the spicy side, then absolutely bump up the heat!
Increase the cayenne pepper to 1 ½ tsp AND add in a healthy pinch or two of red pepper flakes.
Sweeter
Sometimes it is appropriate to add a little brown sugar to your Cajun Seasoning.
The sweetness and molasses flavors of the brown sugar are great when used with pork or seafood, like in this Cajun Salmon.
I would only add the brown sugar on a per recipe basis, not in the entire jar.
Scoop out 1 tbsp of Cajun Seasoning and blend it with 1 tbsp of brown sugar.
Storing Your Seasoning Blend
Just like any store-bought seasoning, keep this Cajun Blend in an airtight container in your spice cabinet.
A small mason jar or Weck jar will work perfectly here.
Since this blend contains dried and ground spices, it will be good for about 2 years. Make sure to write the date on the bottom of the jar or on a spice label.
Related Recipes
If you love Cajun flavors then you are in the right spot! Here are some dishes that are infused with all the Cajun Seasonings:
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Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend
Equipment
- Airtight container for storage
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika make sure to use "smoked"
- 1 ½ tbsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tbsp onion powder
- 1 ½ tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- ½ tbsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tbsp dried thyme
- ½ tbsp cayenne pepper (up to 1 tbsp for more heat/spice)
Instructions
- In a small bowl measure out all the spices and give it a good stir.
- Place in an airtight container. A small mason jar or Weck jar works well.
- Write the date on the jar and keep for up to 2 years.
Notes:
- Make sure that you are using kosher salt in this recipe, not iodized table salt!
- For a touch of sweetness add brown sugar on a per recipe basis, not in the entire jar. Scoop out 1 tbsp of Cajun Seasoning and blend it with 1 tbsp of brown sugar. This is great with seafood or pork.
- For more heat bump up the cayenne pepper to 1 tbsp and add a healthy pinch or two of red pepper flakes.
If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.
We would love to have you comment & rate the recipe!